Finding Text
Federal agency: U.S. Small Business Administration Federal program name: Congressional Grants Inclusive Ventures Small Business Program Assistance listing number: 59.059 Pass-through agency: Anne Arundel County, Maryland Pass-through number: SBAHQ23I0140 Award Period: September 1,2023 through August 31, 2028 Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Type of Findings: Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: Nonfederal entities must follow the procurement standards set out at 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.327. 2 CFR section 200.318 states the grant recipient or subrecipient must maintain and use documented procedures for procurement transactions under a Federal award or subaward, including for acquisition of property or services. These documented procurement procedures must be consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards identified in sections 200.317 through 200.327. Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. “Covered transactions” include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. When a non-federal entity enters into a covered transaction with an entity at a lower tier, the nonfederal entity must verify that the entity, as defined in 2 CFR section 180.995 and agency adopting regulations, is not suspended or debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in the transaction. This verification may be accomplished by (1) checking the System for Award Management (SAM) Exclusions maintained by the General Services Administration (GSA), (2) collecting a certification from the entity, or (3) adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that entity (2 CFR section 180.300). Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should comply with guidance in “Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government” issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition The Corporation did not follow their written procurement procedures which reflect applicable State, local, and tribal laws and regulations which also conform to the applicable federal law and standards identified in the Uniform Guidance. The Corporation could not provide documentation that it ensured contractors were not suspended or debarred before executing contracts with the entities. Questioned Costs Amounts paid to the two contractors for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025 was $175,000. Context Supporting documentation for the procurement, suspension and debarment status for two of the two contractors selected for testing was not documented. Cause The Corporation has not historically received federal funding so the procurement, suspension and debarment documentation was not deemed necessary. Effect A lack of documented procurement standards for the Corporation could increase the risk of goods and services being procured through a method which is not in accordance with applicable State, local, and tribal law as well as federal regulations including the Uniform Guidance. If the suspension and debarment status is not verified when entering into covered transactions, it is possible that a subaward could be issued to an ineligible entity. Repeat Finding No Recommendation We recommend that management follow their written procurement policies and controls to ensure it maintains documentation of procurement, suspension and debarments checks and that the documentation is available for audit. Views of Responsible Officials Management agrees with finding. See corrective action plan for additional information.